Data Matters No. 35

A sector-by-sector analysis of foreign direct investment from the coup up to 30 September 2022, shows that the energy sector received the largest share with more than US$ 3.8 billion. However neither the mining sector nor the oil and gas sector received any foreign investment. On a monthly basis, May 2021 recorded the highest amount of investment with more than US$ 1.2 billion. No foreign investment was recorded  in either February or April 2021. 

Since the coup, up to 98 new investment businesses were launched by 30 September 2022. New investment businesses were launched every month since September 2021 and the highest number of new investment businesses were launched in July 2022, with 19 new businesses registered. Between the 1 February 2021 coup and August 2022, nearly 15,000 companies were registered at The Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA), State Administration Council (SAC).

∎ Why does it matter?

The impact of the economic crisis following the coup and the economic sanctions imposed by Western countries on Myanmar’s foreign trade is crucial for Myanmar’s economy and democratic transition. As business figures provide insight into foreign countries’ perceptions of their own politics and interests, they can be an effective tool for understanding foreign countries’ roles.

∎ Relevant Reading

Statistics regarding domestic and international trade on a monthly and annual basis, as well as differences in trade values between quarters of different fiscal years, can be found on the official website of the SAC’s Ministry of Commerce. A comparison can be made between that figure and those published in the annual reports of the World Bank, the IMF, Myanmar’s trading partners, as well as the Asian Development Bank.